Comms NPC Side Story (Comms) Turn of the New Day

[Raid Boss]

"A ghostmancer who doesn't believe in souls? Am I in a freaking comedy right now?"

Ivan clutched his head as an intense headache rung his noggin like he had tapped out in a boxing match.

"You Starcalled truly are a different breed. I-I will never understand you..."

Ivan mumbled as he limped away on his rocking boat, wishing he could become a Picasso painting—his foundation was shaken by the Caenis' absurdish take.

@Ash Vargold

 

[Ash Vargold]

"Not even going to start getting into that. This is why you don't cross the streams"

Ash watched Ivan wander off with a frown.

"...why does he look familiar...?

In a bad way, too. He unconsciously rubbed his chest, and slumped back in his seat while Ordnung wrote away.

 

[Raid Boss]

France aligned his head in the same direction as the elf and watched his eyepatched buddy getting punched out of the ring by something the wolfman said. They were so in tune that the bard could hear the ringing bell in his head. He thought about consoling the guy, but every man's got to fight his own battle at some point in their life, and so France quickly departed Ivan from his thought as he turned back toward Luthien.

"Well, I was really down on my luck many years ago, and was on an infernal spiral when this adorable idiot found me in the dumpster and taught me how to play a lute. Can you believe it? A bard being taught how to play a lute."

His expression warmed up along with his reddened cheeks, there was a lot of memory surging from that corked-up bottle that was Francisco Fraiser, an aged wine with a halfly-false pasted label. He was elusive on purpose, burying the past behind that damned smile.

"Apologies. I'll have to sate your curiosity another time."

France said as he stood up and headed toward Ivan with a heavier than usual gait. When he got to Ivan, he put an arm around the white-haired hunchback's shoulder and pulled him into the kitchen for another round.

"One more for the patchies, please Clarissa~ The master-touched shots."

He turned back toward Luthien and shook the shot glass between his fingers, inviting her for a fourway with Clarissa readying herself behind him.

@Luthien

 

[Luthien]

{ Having fun~? } A singular thought was spared in Ash‘s direction right after Ivan lumbered out of the room, the familiar chuckle of his elven friend echoing as she turned back towards France.

"Aaawww, he rescued you from your trash panda arc~"

@France ​

Yup, she could see it now—a little green-haired racoon with an eyepatch that resembled Francisco Fraiser to a tee. She hadn’t missed how the bard had skipped over the details, and neither did she try to pry further than what France was comfortable sharing tonight.

"Well, no shame in that. After all everyone has to learn from somewhere or someone... though I wouldn’t have pegged your bestie over there as the musical type."

@France ​

A nod was given as France excused himself, watching the man finally join his somewhat fallen comrade before pulling Ivan into the kitchen with Clarissa. She had half a mind to go see how things were going in the next room when a glint of light against glass caught Lúthien’s attention—the universal unspoken invitation for a shot offered in her direction by the bard.

Eh, one more can’t possibly hurt… She downed the remaining water in her glass with that thought in the forefront, before her merry steps joined the trio.

"How about I teach y’all a little drinking cheer from where I grew up?"

@Clarissa | @France | @Ivan ​

 

[Raid Boss]

"Haah? Why can't we just drink it normally? You're making the headmaster's drink sad with all this preplay."

Ivan protested, his lips already touching the shot glass.

"Wait Ivan, not until everyone is ready!"

Clarissa grabbed Ivan's shot glass and held it in place, stopping him from drinking before they did. She then turned to the elf.

"This isn't like the Bloody Mary chant, right? S-someone taught me that and I swear to you she appeared to me in a dream..."

"Now, now, let the elf explain the chant first. That does sounds intriguing though. So, either way the wind blows, I'm in."

France immediate warmed up to the idea, naturally curious about the Starcalled culture.

@Luthien

 

[Ash Vargold]

Ash had no fancy telepathic way to reply to @Luthien's message, and using the UI to send a message seemed like too much fuss when a raised middle finger would do.

 

[Luthien]

"Aww, did someone steal your funny bone tonight?"

@Ivan​

She glanced in the direction of the culprit in time to see @Ash Vargold sticking a middle finger out in her direction, the action earning an honest laugh from the elf in return. Thankfully Clarissa and France were on board with her idea, and the woman even went a step further by stopping her Doberman admirer from downing his shot early.

"Wha—nooo. I promise this one’s a fun one, Rissa~"

@Clarissa​

A hand patted the woman’s shoulder reassuringly, before a wink of gratitude was shot towards the bard as he made room for Lúthien to show them the new cheer.

"Don’t worry about repeating my words for now. Instead focus on mimicking my movements, okay?"

@Clarissa | @France | @Ivan ​

She had a feeling France would pick up the new language rather quickly, though Lúthien made sure to slowly enunciate her words as she picked up her own shot glass.

"Pa’rriba…!" Her shot glass was raised just above her forehead, waiting until the other three followed suit before continuing. "Pa’bajo…!" It now found itself hovering around her waist, her voice light and mirthful as she continued. "Pa’l medio yyy…!" Her glass was held forth, making sure to clink it against theirs as they mimicked her movements. "Pa’dentro~!"

@Clarissa | @France | @Ivan ​

And with that Lúthien brought the shot glass to her lips, downing the contents in one go, before picking one of the lime wedges available on the counter and biting down on it.

 

[Raid Boss]

Ivan tried his best to follow along with the chant, but somewhere along the way, he kind of made up his own thing.

"Pahribah, papa joe, paleo, pa dendro!"

Meanwhile, Clarissa repeated the chant fairly well with a heavy accent.

"Pareebah pa banyo pal mi dio, pa-dentro!"

France being the silver-tongue devil hit every note along the chant and added his own flair as to how he thinks the elf's Starcalled language sounds.

"Pa'rriba, pa'bajo, pa'l media y! pa'dentro, OYE~!"

All three of them repeated Luthien's gesture and finished with the shot glass in their mouth and a lime between their lips. Ivan and Clarissa's expression soured into a starfish. France sucked on the lime with barely a wince.

@Luthien

 

[Raid Boss]

→ Branching conversation with @MAI from the main thread...

The chimera that was Acelios turned toward the purple-haired girl as she approached him, his expression soft. Cradled in his chest was the sleeping Emmie, who was wrapping her tiny baby hands tight around his fingers, refusing to let go.

"No, you're fine to ask questions. The party has helped lighten the load I've been carrying."

The magia turned his gaze back onto the child snuggling against his chest. He continued speaking without looking up,

"I am not quite sure how to explain it. The emotions come from the Accelerator side, which imposes emotions onto what little I am remembering. In recalling the memories I do possess, emotions are evoked. While logic would dictate that I should feel like a merger between two lives - a new being, that's only partially true..."

He paused to stroke Emmie's cherubic cheek before continuing,

"Logic aside, it feels more as if I am a deconstructed Ahylios, but with human emotions. The majority of Accelerator's memories are kept from me as well, which complicates it further. I understand what Starcalled are conceptually from bits and pieces of the lived Accelerator life, yet, I am unable relate to your experience as a Starcalled. "

Emmie grabbed and drooled on his finger while nuzzling against him. He continued,

"There are many blanks that don't provide any context. And, given how much of my magia core was lost that day, I also don't have a lot of reference to draw on from my Ahylios side either. I can only construct meanings on the now and how I feel at this moment since both pasts are unavailable to my current self."

Acelios chewed on the matter as he orated his thoughts to Mai.

 

[Luthien]

Despite Ivan’s initial complaints he’d humored her request along with the others, the experience one that Lúthien was certain she’d never forget as their chorused cheers filled the kitchen. France lived up to her expectations as he matched, and even added a little flair of his own, to the cheer—while Ivan’s and Rissa’s soured expressions painted a wide smile on her face.

"Well done guys, proud of y’all~"

A mirthful chuckle escaped as the elf moved around the kitchen, her footsteps light but secure just like before. Six glasses were lined up, cold water poured into each one, before three were distributed to her drinking companions.

"Just don’t forget the golden rule, a cool glass of water with every drink, alright?"

@Clarissa | @France | @Ivan ​

The fourth glass was downed by the elf on the spot, eager to hydrate herself in the odd chance that Ordnung’s concoctions might have delayed effects of their own. The last two glasses were picked up and, after raising one of them towards the trio in a parting manner, she headed for the room where Ordnung and Ash Vargold had remained.

"Ten outta ten on the drinks so far Ordnung, would’ve never guessed that mixology was a passion of yours." One of the glasses was offered to him, before she held the last one towards Vargold. "Feeling better?"

@Ash Vargold | @Ordnung ​

 

[Ash Vargold]

Ash flicked an ear towards Lúthien as she approached, and grabbed the cup. He was still facing the ceiling when he closed his eyes and tipped the contents of the glass over his face.

"...a little."

He told himself the dousing helped (it hadn't) and waved Ordnung's slightly-damp half of the conversation towards Lúthien.

"Check it out, I think this guy's trying to recruit me into the mad scientist club."

@Raid Boss @Luthien

 

[MAI]

MAI listened intently to everything Acelios had to say, making sure that she would not miss a single beat. Some of her worries have been confirmed, but it was strange... the more she looked at the duo in front of her, the more it felt as if she was watching two children comforting each other.

"Uncertainty - While this Unit is saddened to hear of the broken state Unit Acelios has been left in as a result of these past events, this Unit must also point out... that if no such memories are present, then the any hope of uncovering where the Dragonship was going, how it became infiltrated with dissonance, and what lies withing the Archive-"

She suddenly paused, her small hand tightening into a fist.

"-we are the Starcalled. It is in our nature to search for the 'perfect' ending with unyielding determination. For this was what had led me to seize the Handler's Lullaby, Szofrit's... αlpha's harmonic key. Why this Unit used it to allow for her to be captured alive. However, each Starcalled sees their perfect ending differently and in the clash of ideologies, even her life was lost, for good. What remains of her rests with me. What remains of Hope Crusher rests with me. A piece of the Dragonship also rests with me."

Closing her eyes for a moment, she exhaled, then crouched down, as if to be closer to the child in Acelios' arms.

"Absolution - In moments of separation, Szofrit's memory leaked out. This Unit had worked tirelessly to parley with others who had experienced it to piece together as much as one could. I may share what I have learned with you, if you wish. As for Emmie... a Golden Keychild, born of our wishes, and a key to the Archive within the Dragonship... This Unit cannot help but wonder if she will choose to, one day, open it."

@Acelios ​

 

[Raid Boss]

Ordnung reached out and accepted the offering from Luthien with a graceful nod. He then immediately soothed his parched throat with the water. Lowering his hand to jot on his note, he raised his pad to show the elf after his pen stopped.

Some things can serve both as a mental stimulation and a de-stresser. Mixology is one of such, a very efficient use of ones free time and sometimes rewards one with good drinks and better companies.

Afterward, he nudged his chin's toward Ash's direction,

You should get your companion logged out before he experience the terrible hangover effects in-game.

@Luthien @Ash Vargold

 

[Raid Boss]

Acelios took on a conflicted face as he thought about it, the memory fragments offered him. He would be able to see her again, and re-commit her to memory with magia's special trait. He closed his eyes briefly and let out a sigh.

"I'm sure the memories will help me in assisting my peers in the future, but I'll decline your offer for now. We'll save it for when it matters in the future, perhaps."

He lied with a smile on his face. Machine requires all sorts of mental gymnastic, usually dressed in self-preservation, to overcome such a basic instinct, yet he found false words rolling off the tongue like second nature now. He wanted to possess those memories. So desperately. So badly. All to see Szofrit again. But, he knew it would be bad for him and Emmie, this obsession, this tether that has wrapped tightly around his neck like a noose ready to straggle the light from his eyes. What do humans call this again, survival instinct, was it?

After processing the rest of what MAI said, he turned back to look at Emmie's peaceful sleeping face once more.

"Yes... our wish and a key. I didn't know for what purpose children are supposed serve, but now I understand. Yet, at the same time, do humans also not see their children as a tool to further their own legacy? In some ways, it's similar to our hope and wish that the Keychild furthers our own purpose, but I don't believe human throw away their tool after it stops being useful to them. Perhaps Szofrit was more human than any of us, in her desire to set the Keychildren free from their purpose."

He turned back toward Mai.

"Am I wrong in thinking in ways that oppose the desire of my kin? The same unified desire that brought Emmie to this world? Emotions are so intricate and complex. I feel guilty for going against their wishes. Yet, I don't wish to throw away a key that no longer opens any door. My magia intuit tells me that Emmie will have to make a difficult choice in the future. I hope she makes the right one."

@MAI

 

[Luthien]

Splash!

A hand rose to her lips, barely suppressing the raspberry sounds that escaped her, before she peered at the paper Vargold waved between his fingers.

"Oooh? Well aren’t you the popular one, Ash?" Sweet dulcet tones coated her words as she teased him. "A lab coat would be a nice addition to your collection~"

@Ash Vargold​

The caenis wasn’t the only one who’d been in dire need of a drink, though the Headmaster chose to hydrate his throat instead of his entire face. Her frame leaned closer to Ordnung as he lifted his pad, a nod of agreement given to the first part before a quiet chuckle slipped by at the end.

{ Surely you’re not suggesting I rob him of valuable first-hand experience, Ord? } Quiet echoes that only the Headmaster could hear, a form of communication unique to her kind and one @Ordnung should be familiar with by now. { Besides… I think it might be a smidge too late for that now. }

"Jokes aside," she continued as if the quiet exchange never happened, pulling a chair closer to Ash before sitting. "It’s not a terrible idea... After all, someone needs to teach them about proper backup and failsafe procedures."

@Ash Vargold | @Ordnung ​

A soft verdant glow wrapped around her palm as the elf held it out in the direction of the caenis, a soothing breeze carefully blowing over his face and soaked hair.

 

[Ash Vargold]

Ash opened an eye at the sound of writing, and saw Ordnung's note pointed towards Lúthien and therefore away from him. He sat up with a grumble.

"Oi, no talking behind my back.

He reached out and grabbed the notebook, just long enough to turn it his way and read it. Then he let go, falling backwards in his seat with a tired laugh.

"Tried that already, but nope! Apparently, enough stacks of "Intoxication" turns it into a dot! I'm technically in combat right now!"

And while Ash was thankful for Lúthien's offered breeze, he couldn't help but return her suggestion with a sour look.

"...look, even if I tried to teach 'em, it probably won't change anything. People won't listen to me out of game, so why would they listen in it? And half of them are probably on the List, so it wouldn't even matter..."

If nothing else, it seemed like Ash was running out of the drunken fervor that had empowered him until now, if the fatigue in his voice was an indicator.

@Luthien @Raid Boss

 

[Raid Boss]

Ordnung cupped his chin with his hand as he stared at the intoxicated caenis and thought to himself briefly before jotting down a note before passing it to the elf.

Get your companion to the guest room next to Acelios's and prepare him a waste bucket, he's going to need it. This mix has a double-step potency so for those with low tolerance, the retching may begin hereafter.

@Ash Vargold @Luthien

 

[MAI]

MAI had closed her eyes and let out a faint exhale. She had a feeling that this would be his response, yet she ever-so-slightly hoped otherwise. After all, there was more to those memories than just Szofrit and the dissonance. Her eyes remained fixated on Emmie as she wondered.

"Acknowledged - A permanent archive of these events and memories will remain with this Unit... whenever Unit Acelios is ready."

"Concern - There is also the matter of Emmie's sibling... or siblings, as it may be more appropriate. EVE had dislocated the crimson egg, and both of their current whereabouts are not known. This Unit will accept it as its mission to pursue the font of magia and its history, purpose, and goals. For this purpose, this Unit must ask - has anything at all remained of Unit Ahylios' original body?"

With that, she stood up. There were many more things she hoped to talk to Ahylios about, but... the man in front of her was not Ahylios. Most of her questions would not be answered, she feared.

"Regret - This Unit would like to, once again, express its apologies for failing to stop Szofrit in a timely manner, for the Dissonance to be treatable."

@Acelios ​

 

[Luthien]

Never would she have predicted the turns of events that would unfold from inviting the caenis along today, but she would do it all over again to witness Drunken Vargold in the flesh. Maybe that bard will get a new song after all… He’d swiped the tablet from Ordnung to read it—a surprising feat considering his current state—before the elf caught it and handed it back to the Headmaster once Ash had relinquished his hold.

"You already have a knack for drawing the most unexpected DoTs this game has to offer, Ash~" A quiet chuckle as she thought back to a similar situation. "Just give it some thought before you settle on an answer, mmm?"

@Ash Vargold​

She wouldn’t mind another friendly—and, more importantly, sane—face around the MIT nerds whenever she dropped by for visits or research assistance.

Whatever encouragement Ash had gotten from his drink seemed to be waning, his words drifting into whispered ramblings as the cool breeze sought to ground his senses. It came to a silent stop as another piece of paper was held in her direction, a smile tugging at her lips as she read it before she nodded towards Ordnung.

"If you’ll excuse us, Headmaster~" A teasing curtsy was done as she stood before the elf turned towards her drunken companion, lightly nudging Ash on the shoulder to get him moving. "C’mon, let’s get you somewhere comfortable so you can ruminate those thoughts over quietly~"

@Ash Vargold | @Ordnung ​

 

[Raid Boss]

At Mai's acknowledgement that she would store the memory fragments for him until he's ready to accept them, Acelious thought about when he would be ready, would it be the day his obsessive grief won't get in the way of raising Emmie anymore? With humanity comes uncertainty about how he will feel in the future, so a nod was more than adequate.

"Thank you Mai, I'll take you up on that offer."

As for the matter of his body, he extended his mechanical arm toward the girl.

"The Headmaster has fitted all he could on this body, this is all I have left of Ahylios' body, though it requires constant maintenance since it continually draws from my biological parts."

He paused and doubled back on the comment about the Crimson Keychild, to which he answered,

"The Keychilds, like all magia are made for a purpose. Given that they are a hybrid being, there are biological limitations imposed on them and their development. They will grow at the same pace, allowing us to monitor what age-state her sibling will be at any given time. Eventually when they discover the purpose built into them, they will no doubt set out to find the other two Dragonships. I don't need my memory to understand how this works."

He said, holding Emmie closer, trying his hand at copying Chako's rocking motion from earlier.

@MAI